One of the fifty American States, Missouri, has the motto "Show me". Nobody seems to know why the Missourans chose this simple request to represent them but it does suggest a down-to-earth, no-nonsense attitude to life that would be a great asset when wading through all the rumor and speculation of F1's silly season. Never mind all the talk, just show me.
The silly season has been in top gear for several weeks now and it has been given a turbo boost by the Hamilton/Alonso incident in Hungary. "Alonso fed up and ready to leave McLaren" screams the press, "Ron Dennis says he can leave anytime", "Ferrari offers Fernando big pay out" suggest some. The denials are issued but it's too late now - we have the baton and are running with it.
Fernando Alonso
No wonder it is called the silly season. But it does illustrate how the anticipated move of a top driver can cause a blockage in movement throughout the pack. Last year everything hung on Michael Schumacher's rumored retirement and all changes had to wait until he made his announcement. This year it's Alonso's turn and team managers hold back from signing anything until they see which way the wind will blow at McLaren. Flavio suddenly delays any confirmation of his drivers, obviously hoping for a return of the prodigal son; Mario Theissen shows the wisdom of waiting until signing time before announcing any done deals, thereby allowing BMW to be a factor in the speculation.
And then we have to think about who could take Alonso's seat. A straight swap with BMW? But Nick Heidfeld does not fit the mold of a McLaren driver; for reasons I do not understand, he is never regarded as champion material. Fisichella? Ummm, no, I don't think so. Much more likely would be a promotion from the lower ranks within the team, with either de la Rosa or Gary Paffett getting the nod. But that would not be as exciting as a reshuffle with other teams so it tends to get ignored.
Everything is dying down now, anyway, as we realize that Alonso would be mad to leave McLaren at this stage. He is in the best car with only his team mate as serious competition (I'll support that statement in the Comments if you want to argue) - no matter how disgruntled he may be, it makes sense for him to hang on until this year's championship is decided and then have a think about the future. And next year I think he will still be in a McLaren; either that or retired. Going elsewhere can only diminish his chances of staying at the top.
You see how easy it is to be infected with the silliness of the season? For a moment back there, when I mentioned the possibility of retirement, the thought of Paffett getting the drive popped into my head. Now that is something I would love to see, a straight fight between Gary and Lewis, but it's wishful thinking only. No doubt things will carry on as normal, with both Alonso and Hamilton still at McLaren, Quick Nick with a BMW contract in his back pocket and Fisichella replaced with Flavio's second choice (I wonder who that might be...).
But no, I'll not be drawn. Renault will put their hopes in Kovalainen next year and the second seat really won't matter that much, I think. Although it is great fun to imagine all the possibilities of driver changes and new combinations, I'll stand with the Missourans on this one and just say, "Show me."
The silly season has been in top gear for several weeks now and it has been given a turbo boost by the Hamilton/Alonso incident in Hungary. "Alonso fed up and ready to leave McLaren" screams the press, "Ron Dennis says he can leave anytime", "Ferrari offers Fernando big pay out" suggest some. The denials are issued but it's too late now - we have the baton and are running with it.
Fernando Alonso
No wonder it is called the silly season. But it does illustrate how the anticipated move of a top driver can cause a blockage in movement throughout the pack. Last year everything hung on Michael Schumacher's rumored retirement and all changes had to wait until he made his announcement. This year it's Alonso's turn and team managers hold back from signing anything until they see which way the wind will blow at McLaren. Flavio suddenly delays any confirmation of his drivers, obviously hoping for a return of the prodigal son; Mario Theissen shows the wisdom of waiting until signing time before announcing any done deals, thereby allowing BMW to be a factor in the speculation.
And then we have to think about who could take Alonso's seat. A straight swap with BMW? But Nick Heidfeld does not fit the mold of a McLaren driver; for reasons I do not understand, he is never regarded as champion material. Fisichella? Ummm, no, I don't think so. Much more likely would be a promotion from the lower ranks within the team, with either de la Rosa or Gary Paffett getting the nod. But that would not be as exciting as a reshuffle with other teams so it tends to get ignored.
Everything is dying down now, anyway, as we realize that Alonso would be mad to leave McLaren at this stage. He is in the best car with only his team mate as serious competition (I'll support that statement in the Comments if you want to argue) - no matter how disgruntled he may be, it makes sense for him to hang on until this year's championship is decided and then have a think about the future. And next year I think he will still be in a McLaren; either that or retired. Going elsewhere can only diminish his chances of staying at the top.
You see how easy it is to be infected with the silliness of the season? For a moment back there, when I mentioned the possibility of retirement, the thought of Paffett getting the drive popped into my head. Now that is something I would love to see, a straight fight between Gary and Lewis, but it's wishful thinking only. No doubt things will carry on as normal, with both Alonso and Hamilton still at McLaren, Quick Nick with a BMW contract in his back pocket and Fisichella replaced with Flavio's second choice (I wonder who that might be...).
But no, I'll not be drawn. Renault will put their hopes in Kovalainen next year and the second seat really won't matter that much, I think. Although it is great fun to imagine all the possibilities of driver changes and new combinations, I'll stand with the Missourans on this one and just say, "Show me."